Jairus Byrd and Brian Orakpo are providing the last bit of drama as the NFL’s franchise-tag deadline approaches Monday afternoon. And even that drama is slowly evaporating, although it hasn’t disappeared completely.

With a handful of major free agents — led by Baltimore tight end Dennis Pitta — re-signing over the weekend and most other teams making their franchising choices, Byrd and Orakpo were still dangling with the 4 p.m. ET Monday deadline closing in.

Byrd’s status, though, shifted significantly with reports that the Buffalo Bills were leaning toward not franchising the three-time Pro Bowl safety for a second straight year. He played under the tag last season, but didn’t sign the tender until the middle of training camp, then nursed an injured foot through the first five games before contributing to an emerging Bills’ defense.

The station also reported that not franchising him again was another option the Bills are weighing. CBSSports.com reported later Sunday that they were “unlikely” to do so.

In the same report, CBSSports.com called Washington’s chance of franchising Orakpo, their pass-rushing linebacker, “unlikely.” The Redskins have appeared conflicted all offseason about franchising him, after he played well in his return from a torn pectoral muscle in each of the previous two seasons.

A Washington Post report on Saturday described the internal talks about Orakpo as “a lot of back and forth.” The debate involves Orakpo’s youth and his 10 sacks last season, but also his injury history, the fact that Washington still gave up the second-most points in the NFL in 2013, and, of course, the cost: the outside linebacker tag figure is $11.455 million.

Many of the biggest free-agent names are already essentially off the market, which officially opens up March 11. Tight end Jimmy Graham was tagged by the Saints, to the surprise of no one; defensive end Greg Hardy was franchised by the Panthers.

Pitta, the Ravens’ top priority, signed Friday for a reported $32 million over five years, and the team isn’t planning to franchise any of their other major free agents, such as tackle Eugene Monroe.

The Colts are still bouncing around the idea of franchising one of their two top free-agent defensive backs, cornerback Vontae Davis and safety Antoine Bethea. But, the Indianapolis Star reported Sunday, it may make more economic sense to put the tag on veteran kicker Adam Vinatieri, whose number is $8 million less than Davis’.

Among other valued free agents, the Seahawks are leaning toward not franchising defensive end Michael Bennett, and the Broncos likely will not tag cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

The Cardinals won’t franchise linebacker Karlos Dansby because a third career franchise tag (his first two were with Miami) would require him to be paid the highest figure among all positions — more than $16 million, about $4.6 million more than his position’s tag.

Head coach Bruce Arians did say of Dansby on Phoenix’s KMVP-FM Friday, “We definitely would love to have him back,’’ and revealed that he had turned down an offer right after the season had ended.